Following Massachusetts House and Senate approval of a supplemental budget, North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) and Salem State College came out strongly in support for an appropriation, included in that budget, which would have provided additional funding for clinical instructors in nursing and significant renovations to the college's nursing and science laboratories.

The Massachusetts House and Senate recently approved the budget appropriation, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frederick E. Berry, as part of the 2005 supplemental budget. Gov. Mitt Romney vetoed the legislation on Sept. 17.

The governor's decision to veto this budget appropriation is very troubling. Last year, Salem State College turned away hundreds of qualified nurse candidates due to a shortage of clinical instructors and inadequate laboratories. With a widely acknowledged shortage of nurses statewide, this funding would have created hundreds of highly skilled jobs in a profession where employment for qualified nurses is virtually assured.

Salem State College graduate and undergraduate nurses have included, as part of their clinical training, hands-on experience at NSMC for more than 100 years. We will continue to work closely with the college to provide this essential experience to all of the nurses they are able to accept and prepare for licensure.

In the meantime, we offer our sincere thanks to Sen. Berry for his continuing leadership in addressing this important issue.

Valerie Hunt, Ph.D., R.N.,
Vice President of Patient Care Services
North Shore Medical Center
Salem